Coming to Court

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Autumn was sent from France to England to met the king and to help Louis Castillon if need be. She looked out the window as the carriage pulled up to the place.

Louis had awoken later than planned, again. So he hurriedly dressed, neglecting to pause for breakfast. He had received note from France that some woman would be coming to England and he was to receive her. The note was not directly from the King and so was rather vague...

He was unsure as to why she had been sent; he had never had anyone with him on ambassadorial trips before. Nevertheless, he waited outside the palace-glad it wasn't as cold as the previous days but still wearing his heavy furs.

The carriage stopped and the door open as Autumn poked her head out and saw Louis standing there. " Bonjour monsieur Castillon je suis l'Automne Dawn Marcoux." She said with a big smile.

"Bienvenue" he replied and bowed his head, before offering his hand to assist her out of the carriage.

"...si seulement l'Angleterre étaient aussi belle que France...ou au moins chaude," he added with mischevious smile.

She smiled and took his hand."Je dois convenir que je n'ai pas apporté de vêtements plus chauds. Et merci."She said looking into his eyes as her eyes showed she was a bit cold.

He laughed in a kind manner, "How optimistic of you! I have already experience the English cold and needed no reminder to pack for winter. Perhaps we should head inside. Have you much luggage?"

He was still curious about the meaning of her visit but did not want to question her immediately after arrival. No doubt he would have to accompany her for some events in court and they would have the time to speak at more length.

"Must be wondering why I was sent?"She asked as they walk inside.

He chuckled and pushed his hands into his pockets as they strolled back into the palace, "Vous devez lire dans les pensées."

"In honesty, I only received a letter informing me that you would arrive today and no more."

"My father is a French Ambassador but is in other country. But he wished for me to come here to see how things work."She said with a french accent.

Louis raised his brows incredulously, he was the primary ambassador for England-having taken over from a retired man of great wisdom and travel.

He was not sure if she spoke of his old predecessor or a newly appointed diplomat for another land, "Whom? There are so few of us-I must surely know him."

"Ambassador Marcoux" She said softly.

Louis smiled brightly as they walked through the grand entrance, "Un homme tres véritable et intelligent! I did not know he had children-is it just you or do you have siblings?"

"I am his only child. He was the one who told the king to send me to you." She said with a smile. As she looked at everything in the hallway.

He nodded thoughtfully, "Forgive me, mademoiselle, but what is the purpose of your visit? Are you to wait upon Anne Boleyn-I must admit that would be a fine arrangement and you would be able to return when she and His Majesty visit France?"

"I am a dancer. But my father wishing for me to learn the Ambassador ways. It is more of a teaching trip. If you understand."She said handing him a letter better explaining it.

Louis raised a brow and smiled wryly, "A female ambassador. How very modern-I'm sure the King's of Europe will be delighted!"

"It not by choice."She said softly.

Louis sighed, "It often never is for women,"he said, "Regretfully. However, I am sure you will excel in every way."

He walked further into the hall, "Have you eaten or are you still too tired from the journey? I slept for a solid day after I arrived," he spoke as he chuckled warmly.

"I slept on the way here. But I would like to be shown around so one may not get lost." She said softly.

He laughed, "Then you had best make some English friends. I barely know the way to my room, mademoiselle."

"My father told me to stay close to you. That I would be safe around you."She said softly looking at him.

Louis chuckled again, "A capital fellow, indeed. It would be my pleasure, I would assume you have a maid at least with you."

She nodded to the girl behind them."My mother sent her along with me."She said before running over to a window looking out the window."I never been to England before it is sure different then home."She said to him.

"Entirely," Louis replied, "In some ways it is greater. The scenery is spectacular, I have never seen such fine castles. It is a land of scholars and princes."

"Do you miss home?"She asked him.